A dream may be coming true

[Rebeltilldeath3]

My buddy has been looking for an older Jeep, he was going through the merchandiser and found a 83 Toyota 4wd for me.  The guy wants $350 bucks.  In the article it says he has a lift, big tires, no bed, and some frame rot.  I'm going to check it out tomorrow.

Assuming I bought this for my trail rig, so I can stop beating my truck now and use it strictly as a DD.  What should be the first mods I do to the truck?

Any known weaknesses of that year?

[kyle_22r]

the trannies from '79-83 weren't the best from the factory, but '83 will have the strongest(L52 5 speed).  no real huge weaknesses, the front spring hangers are a little flimsy so either gusset them or build a drop hanger if you want to beat on it.

first mods should be fitting crossover steering and lockers, if the engine's running right.  i started with a truck with everything wrong and now only 50% of it is broken.  stuff tends to wear out after 26 years...

[Rebeltilldeath3]

This is going to sound sad and pathetic, but I'm only now getting into the straight axles Yota's.

What exactly is crossover steering?  What are the benefits?  Why is it needed?

[brainlessfool]

It moves the drag link above the springs. up and out of the way of rocks.


or, it's when a freind trys to tell ya the benifets of wereing a dressy!

[Rebeltilldeath3]

What gears are in the axles stock?

[brainlessfool]

most likly 4:10s

[Rebeltilldeath3]

The major thing I have questions about is getting it to flex.

I was born and raised into drag racing, that's what my family business is known for, so fabricating is not an issue.  Just the suspension setups I know how to setup, are completely opposite of that needed for flex.  I got lots of learning to do.

[*FFC*]

  I got lots of learning to do.

Me too 

[donkeykong]

  I got lots of learning to do.

You are at the right place.

As for the highsteer...when you see a drag link get slammed in to a rock making both tires point in you will see real fast why it is good to have that bar up and out of the way.  Also I notice the steering is a lt smoother and easier with the new steering

[RHG]

  I once watch some dumbass hook a chain to his draglink on his very stuck ugly F250 with 40's tires with 20" rims. Use your imagination at what happened next. 

[*FFC*]

I once watch some dumbass hook a chain to his draglink on his very stuck ugly F250 with 40's tires with 20" rims. Use your imagination at what happened next. 

Key word there 

[gonzo]

It moves the drag link above the springs. up and out of the way of rocks.


or, it's when a freind trys to tell ya the benifets of wereing a dressy!

  Only from you brainless.  

[Rebeltilldeath3]

Well I went and looked at her today.  More than I expected.  The frame rot wasn't that bad, it runs, just needs a fuel pump.  Has the same wheels my truck has except wider and a bigger backspace.  Sitting on 35"s.  He did an add a leaf and body lift, which will go instantly.  The frame rot is bad enough in the back to make me replace those sections.  Nice interior also, he even put in a sun roof.

He has an 87 Yota too, for $800, nothing wrong with it at all.  It also has a body lift.

I'm probably going to buy both since he'll cut a deal, and sell the other to my friend.

[toybuilt]

Well I went and looked at her today. More than I expected. The frame rot wasn't that bad, it runs, just needs a fuel pump. Has the same wheels my truck has except wider and a bigger backspace. Sitting on 35"s. He did an add a leaf and body lift, which will go instantly. The frame rot is bad enough in the back to make me replace those sections. Nice interior also, he even put in a sun roof.

Sounds good, but definitely make sure that the frame is strong or that you can make it as strong or stronger than stock. Don't want it to snap in half on ya.

[Rebeltilldeath3]

Nice quote there, lol.

I know the back half of the frame is weak as can be, so I'm going to chop the frame behind the cab, build my own frame,  and do a 4-link.

It helps that I've been building full tube chassis for drag cars for years, but like I said, two totally different animals.


First thing I'll do is take the cab, fenders, and hood off to clean them up and paint 'em.  Then work on the frame.

I'm sure I'll be making lots of threads for help and suggestions.

[Rebeltilldeath3]

CHA CHING

After $150 she's mine.  Hell, my buddy bought the 87 Yota too for $700.  The 87 has tags and is inspected and everything, great running motor too.

[shad]

sounds cool but make sure you check out the passengers side inner frame rail right in front of the front of the front spring hanger real good.
they tend to rust right there when the frame drains are clogged for a while.
It doesn't really happen on the drivers side since the exhuast heat tends to heat the frame and dry it on that side.

You'll probably have to throw a patch on like I did to it.

[Rebeltilldeath3]

Actually it was rotted in that place on the drivers side.

I don't care, like I said, I'm rebuilding the entire frame.

[toybuilt]

You'll have to post some pictures of the frame, before and after.

[Oddmar]

Here's the frame i built...so i could run the exhaust up between the driver's side frame rails and install two...yes, Two...30gal fuel tanks. I gusseted the rear axle and built an overhead center traction bar, down which i ran my brake line. The fourth pic is of the bumper i built, which will hold my winch, protect my front end when the bull bars are welded on, and hold 120psi of air for my York Onboard air system.

[toybuilt]

Looks like you have done quite a bit of work

[Rebeltilldeath3]

Not bad looking, I'm just worried how the entire frame will look when I bring it home.

I'm going to the notary tomorrow to sign over the title.

I'll probably hook my trailer up and pick it up this weekend. 

First thing I'm doing is putting on a new fuel pump, firing her up, flexing it out, then taking pics.

Then I'll start tearing it down to see how bad the frame really is.


BTW, anyone know where to get really long coil overs?  Ones that would be useful for a 4-link?

[BigMike]

OM: Do you have any pics with both tanks fitted?

[Oddmar]

By OM i'll assume that you were referring to me, BigMike.

Nope, had to move all my stuff from the shop i was working in to my mom's house, and i haven't gotten the tanks built yet. I've been putting off working on my truck, but i'll get to it soon, and when i do i'll take some pics of the tanks for y'all.

Here's a screenshot of the plot program for the tank pieces, with a 3-D model that i built to illustrate where the pieces go. I've already mounted the 20lb propane tank (for the stove), and the 50ft spring-retractable hose reel for the Onboard air system.

You all might think my truck is a little too heavy and not bobbed, but i'm building it to be a Daily Driver--Work truck--camping RV with a little rockcrawling on the side, not just a rockbuggy. If we ever meet up for an outing, i'll be taking all the easy lines, but you'll be amazed at how comfy i'll be in camp.

[eddyb]

BTW, anyone know where to get really long coil overs? Ones that would be useful for a 4-link?

We used lifted zj coils on my buddies four link for his 93 yota